Rant & Rave Blog

Skydivers who own an original Vigil automatic opener have been given an extra 6 years on the mandatory battery change per the manufacturer. The owner's manual for the original Vigil states a lifespan of 4 years or 700 jumps for the Vigil. But an e-mail to Vigil dealers from Advanced Aerospace Designs last week stated that field experience has shown the lifespan can be extended to "1500 jumps or 10 years as long as the message 'Bat Low' or 'Bat Rpl' doesn't appear on the screen." Continue reading →

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To enter the Config menu, press the button after the self-test section immediately on startup when the menu item "Config" is displayed. In the Configuration menu, you can change the type of measurements, the character orientation on the display and the contrast of the display. Continue reading →

The Cutter and Display are replaceable by your local rigger. The Display must be of the correct version for your unit, so check with the manufacturer. All Vigil II displays are interchangeable.

Unscrew both Phillips head closing screws and separate the main box casing. Gently lift-up and remove the cutter or display, keeping the rubber seal in place. Insert the new cutter or display through the rubber seal without damage. Seat the rubber seal in the appropriate grooves.

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The unit will then display the following informational items in order: Software Version, LCD Version, Serial Number, DOM, total jumps, totall free fall time, last free fall time, saves, temperature and atmospheric pressure. Continue reading →

Install the software per the instructions. Attached the I.R. Download Box to your computer. Open the VigilGraph program. Continue reading →

The Vigil Cuatro (and past units I, II & II+) is manufactured by Advanced Aersospace Designs out of Belgium. It has three parts: Main Box, Cutter and Control Unit. The Vigil II turns on with 4 button pushes. The first wakes it up, which is followed by a Hello and the Vigil II. As the red LED flashes on the side of the unit, press the button.

After the 4th button push, the unit will perform a series of self tests on the battery, cutter and control units. This is followed by three different menu items (Setup, Info and Config) that flash on the screen. The screen will then show Enjoy followed by the mode the unit is currently set in: Pro, Student or Tandem. If you press the button while the unit shows Enjoy, you can re-enter the menu items of Setup, Info and Config.

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In setup, you can make an altitude correction for landing at a different elevation than your takeoff elevation. This menu item is also where you can set or change the mode. Continue reading →

Note: Video states a 1-year replacement period for Argus batteries, but the manufacturer has since changed its requirement to every repack, 500 jumps or Batt Low reading.

Two CR123A Lithium batteries are to be replaced every repack, every 500 jumps or when the unit displays Batt Low or Batt Rpl.

Unscrew Phillips head closing screw. Remove old batteries. Insert new batteries noting the polarity marks on the outside of the unit. Re-install battery back plate and tighten closing screw to snug.

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All CYPRES 2 units manufactured or serviced after January of 2013 have received an awesome software upgrade.

The user can now increase the activation altitude of the unit by increments of approximately 100 feet. Maximum increase of activation altitude is 9 steps so approximately 900 ft. These increments or steps are designated by an A (for altitude) and a number times 100. Thus A1 signifies 100 feet above the standard CYPRES activation altitude, A2 signifies 200 feet above and so on. A0 signifies the standard activation altitude.

Student mode is set to fire at 29 mph and 750 ft AGL.
Expert mode is set to fire at 78 mph and 750 ft AGL
Tandem mode is set to fire 75 mph and 1900 ft AGL
Speed mode is set to fire at 102 mph and 750 ft AGL

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